Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Virgin Media's website has finally been updated with all of the new channels available on the various packs.

http://www.virginmedia.com/shop/tv/channels.html

HISTORY HD is being sold as Full House only, which is also backed up by this page. I wonder how long the current period of free access to all other customers will continue?

It also confirms C+I should still be Full House only, so the continuing free access to this on Virgin TV Go must be a mistake that they've still not spotted.

They have used proper HD logos for Quest HD and ZooMoo HD, unlike in the TV Guide on the V6 box. However, they've used the Love Nature 4K logo for Love Nature HD.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

No Premier Sports in there so my hunch is its two months free and then Bobs Your uncle..

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

yeah pity wont be paying for it that's for sure never have on that channel

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Watched a few of the live ICC cup football matches, only pre-season friendliest however you dress them up.

Might watch the odd pro-14 rugby match, but I certainly wouldn't pay for it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Same here.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Shame the free period for Premier Sport will end just as the NHL gets under way.

I love Ice hockey but even that would not persuade me to part with another tenner. Already paying £100 per month as it is.

I dont know how many subscribers Premier Sports gets on Virgin and across all the platforms but you would think it will be significantly less than the subscribers to Sky Sports and to BT Sports. Whilst they both hold Premier League rights the others such as Premier Sports and the newcomer Elevensport will the feeding off scraps.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Premier Sports put NHL games on FreeSports last season, no idea if they will do it again this season.

---------- Post added at 19:21 ---------- Previous post was at 19:17 ----------

The Standard Definition version of the channel calls itself 4K on-screen and audibly by the continuity announcer, it's not just the HD variation.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I love Ice Hockey ,but its not the same since they canned Hockey night in Canada with the one and only Don Cherry!:D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

More channels have been moved down to the 'free' Player pack:

https://www.techradar.com/uk/broadba...adband-bundles

Apart from those who want BT Sport, this further devalues the Full House pack. Those still wanting the pay channels could subscribe to NOW TV to top up their channel choice, would be able to get Sky Atlantic and get GOLD back too. I'm hoping that the negotiations to add the remaining UKTV channels are successful as this would be an ideal solution for me.

In order not to take this thread off topic, i've posted something here (post 794) that could suggest that there could be light at the end of the tunnel in the UKTV dispute:

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/show...2#post35958822

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Maybe something big is coming to Full House. :cleader:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Yes switch on your box OB go through the EPG and Bobs your Uncle...;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

UKTV Channels are back!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Anybody know if virgin are in talks with eleven sports, before i fork out the £5.99 p.m. for the la liga/serie a football coverage.I will not pay in advance in case virgin surprise us and put it on as a channel (happy to pay the cost)rather than stream the games.I can cancel the monthy subscription easily therafter.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

l have heard nothing thus so far Figgyburn..

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Gold HD is coming soon!
http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a8...ficially-back/

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

UKTV channels are back again

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Good news for both parties.

With all the UKTV channels returning and all the newly added channels, VM offers the widest range of channels that it has ever had.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Exactly great day all round, the on demand stuff ain’t here yet it must take time to add, 124 Gold and 127 Dave should be in HD

---------- Post added at 09:36 ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 ----------

Yes I do agree we just need some 4K material away from sport and we are sorted

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

No space for anything now 🤔

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Richard will give an update soon.:angel:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Given the precarious nature of the bandwidth position on Virgin Media, I'd be obliged if Richard could ask his source how Virgin arrived at the space for these additional services?

Are any new frequencies in use?
Are any frequencies now modulated in 256 QAM that were not before?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I don't suppose there is any news of sky Atlantic coming as well or am I just being greedy

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Hopefully some of it will be revealed in time

---------- Post added at 11:08 ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 ----------

Perhaps if someone puts that famous straw hat on you never know.;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

The duplicate of 4Music is still on 129 but it goes to an error message (V53).

The duplicate of Vice is now on 61.

HISTORY HD is back to Full House only.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

129 on mine is Really

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Yes I have that too, but 4Music is also still on 129 (the next row).

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

What STB?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

V6

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I started up my V6 and put 124 on (Paramount) and as I watched it the now/next changed from 124 to 19, then I switched over and back to 124 (Gold). Tried 19, and it was gone/hidden. All back to normal now.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

TiVo

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I love how its 2018 and we're still waiting for this. I think rumours were it would be launched in 2014.... I remember my obsession with fox news due to its comedy nature and that dream died after sky axed it... It was close to launching too if i remember.

As for sky atlantic the sky contract is up next year so perhaps then? as long as VM come to an agreement with sky that is. The whole "we have sky atlantic so join sky for this reason" wasn't overly successful so it may be time to just launch it on VM for the increased advertisement revenue

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

think that be next year same time BT get it too

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

BT aren't getting Sky Atlantic. BT users are getting the option to buy Now TV through BT, just like you, I or anyone else can buy a £20 box for 6 months entertainment down Tesco.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

As previously stated, the duplicate channels were not pointing to the same stream, but were using bandwidth in their own right. I did speculate as to why and said that It could be that VM were testing the load on their system. Shortly afterwards, long redundant placeholders were removed, such as the long closed The Africa Channel and for various pop up channels etc. Those who understand the system more than I said that it appeared to be under strain.

This means that adding the UKTV channels back has not effectively used up any more bandwidth.

I did intend to try to pass a message on to ask them about any QAM modulation changes to address your point and try to find out if this could be how VM will make more efficient use of their existing limited spectrum but, unfortunately, as a result of your (and a minority of other individuals) comments, the people responsible for collating, analysing and posting this information have decided to withdraw consent for their future findings to be published on internet forums.

I am informed that the scanners 'don't care whether you believe it or not and have pointed out that their information isn't produced for forum users in any case'.

The last piece of information issued for public use was that VM have created an extra block of data channels on frequencies formerly used for DVB-C channels. Why? I've no idea.

The scanners take the view that certain forum users seem 'quite happy to accept the validity of the data when it is bringing them additional information about new channels being added in the background, channels switching between subscription packs etc. They find it rather strange that those forum users don't accept the validity of other changes on the network that, possibly, interfere with the user's fantasy vision of what is happening at VM'.

That is why they have taken the decision not to release any new information on internet forums in the future. I have to say, I can't blame them.

---------- Post added at 15:23 ---------- Previous post was at 15:15 ----------

Yes, at this point in time we have almost channel parity with Sky with regards to the channels that matter to most people.

AMC, Sky Atlantic, Disney HD and MTV Classics and maybe a few more music channels and football club channels appear to be the only missing channels of note now.

The first two aren't (yet?) available to VM and the third one is at least available in SD.

We'll even be getting GOLD HD eventually!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I can't see any logical reason for Sky withholding Atlantic much longer. Don't see much point in AMC what does it actually broadcast? Some walking dead spin off?

I do miss MTV classics though.

Get atlantic and get the amazon app on tivo and virgin media have actually done quite well. If they'd just reduce the amount of price increases per year...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I've often wondered what happens at the domestic end when such changes are made. I was watching 124 when GOLD was replaced with Paramount and a similar thing happened. I too had to switch away and back to get the new channel to work.

---------- Post added at 15:33 ---------- Previous post was at 15:31 ----------

Totally agree.

---------- Post added at 16:05 ---------- Previous post was at 15:33 ----------

Apparently, Dave SD and GOLD SD are to be replaced by their HD variants only.

I think we can now assume that VM are moving towards the cessation of dual illumination of both formats. This helps to reduce the capacity needed and won't affect most customers who should now have an HD capable STB. Those without can still watch the programming an hour later on the SD +1 channels.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Premier Sports HD and Paramount HD were pointing to the same stream. It was the same frequency, video and audio ID on my V6.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Interesting, did you check the other duplicate channels?

I'll be glad to see the back of these duplicate channels, the V6 was treating them as different channels because of the full stop at the end and trying to record both, meaning I had to keep manually tidying up my planned recordings.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I didn't - my Series Links recorded from just one version.

---------- Post added at 16:27 ---------- Previous post was at 16:25 ----------

Dave HD is aleady on VM on 194

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

The indication from Virgin is Dave HD will be taking the Dave SD spot soon, with Dave SD disappearing.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

As all SD only boxes are being turned off and swapped then it's now easier to do that where possible.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I agree.

However, as for AMC, I am still hoping that VM will be able to carry this channel as part of the next wholesale deal with BT. It's not all Walking Dead stuff! They also have some decent films on there as well as series such as Halt and Catch Fire; Preacher; Better Call Saul; Mad Men; Breaking Bad to name a few. For those who do not subscribe to Netflix or Amazon, it's the first time that they will have been able to see some of these programmes.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I saw them listed twice in planned recordings and, to save using unneccesary disc space, I deleted them. Interesting that the V6 would have been intelligent enough not to record the duplicate channel entries, perhaps it compares the synopsis information as well as episode details??

Does anyone know if UKTV programmes should be manually set to record, or will the series links pick up the details straight away?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

It doesn't record duplicate episodes unless you select 'All' recordings.

I only noticed UKTV was back as all my recordings were back in My Planned Recordings.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Dave HD is now on channel 194

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Can't all the SD Sky Cinema channels be removed as HD as been included as standard for over a year now.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Up till recently there have been people with SD only boxes. Now that they're being removed I guess it may be possible to remove SD only versions where they're not needed.

Though depends on the contract agreements as well I'd think.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Yes, it appears to have picked all of mine up too :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Surely it's the same for the SD BT Sport channels once the SD boxes are gone they can go. Any idea how many SD boxes left? Is there a deadline set?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Don't know, they can't be that many now. There will come a point where it's more cost effective for them to lose the few customers who can't or won't upgrade in order to free up more bandwidth by turning off the SD channels they don't need to have.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

So nameless faceless individuals who previously “released” information they thought was unverifiable have, upon being challenged, decided to back away from saying anything.

I for one think that’s a good thing. If it can’t be corroborated it’s unhelpful to have meaningless analysis based upon it, such as your assertion that there is only space for 4 HD channels - a statement verifiably false.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

+1 is not in HD - do customers still have to pay a premium for the HD versions?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I don't think the SD versions of Dave and Gold will be closed on VM, they will just move to different EPG slots, otherwise all Player customers would lose access to these channels because the HD versions are for Mix customers and up.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

There will come a point when HD is the norm and UHD only commands the premium pricing. That day can't be too far away now.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I'm sure people that have HD wouldn't care about the plus one going or relaunched in HD. Sky cinema comes with HD channels no extra fees. Extra fee only applies to sky sports

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

More nonsense from you, it's becoming clear that you simply like arguing for the sake of it.

The information about there being only four HD channels left will now be out of date, there will be even less now as a result of the new HD channels and the return of the UKTV HD channels and I imagine that will be gone when GOLD HD is added, so it will be interesting to see what VM do to free up more space as there won't even be room for an HD Red Button service.

For completeness, most VM channels were converted to 256-QAM from 64-QAM a long time ago, the only ones that haven't are for VM services, such as TiVo downloads.

You have spoilt it for the rest of the people on this forum, well done you.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

That’s another statement that’s verifiably untrue. There are TV channels being broadcast on 64 QAM multiplexes. If you record BBC 1 HD (in my area) this can be verified in the V6 diagnostic menu. Someone with the time or inclination could go through the entire EPG and give us numbers.

Far from spoiling it testing the veracity of the information provided by these nameless, faceless sources.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I think that VM are gradually moving away from viewing HD as a premium product with the news that GOLD HD & Dave HD will be in the Mix pack and above. I wonder why they won't be moving the other UKTV HD channels down, perhaps they will??

If UKTV have accepted less, perhaps part of the deal was for their HD channels to move down. AIUI, some channels in Full House receive a cut in the subscription fee and, for the HD channels at least, this helps to pay for the extra cost in providing them that cannot be recouped in any other way.

Without this extra income, there wasn't much of an incentive for broadcasters to create new HD channels; adverts on them don't raise any extra and any new viewers they attract will be mostly taken away from the SD version. As time has moved on, old equipment become obsolete and costs have fallen, I now imagine that it's harder not to create programming in HD! Initially, to increase the switch to HD, it was left for VM and Sky to subsidise the creation of HD channels in return for exclusivity periods on their own platform.

I suppose those on Player will just have to manage with the SD +1 versions, I doubt VM will keep SD channels open just for those on the 'free' TV pack which they lose money on.

---------- Post added at 12:29 ---------- Previous post was at 12:15 ----------

It would seem very odd not to have converted them all in every area, as this would mean that there would be less channels in your particular area; somethiñg that VM doesn't do.

Anyway, the salient point is that capacity is now further to it's maximum limit than ever. I'm not suggesting that VM will actually run out of capacity, more wondering what they will do to get their existing infrastructure to work better for them.

Perhaps they will bring TSID's 36 & 37 back into use for HD expansion or escalate the SD channel switch off programme?? Who knows.

They must have something up their sleeves as they have said that the replacement channels introduced to compensate for the loss of the UKTV channels will remain and the return of the UKTV channels would have been the ideal excuse to dump a lot of them, though I suppose that contractual agreements will come into play.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

He has not spoilt anything a forum is about debate.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Absolutely as one has to accept others have differing opinions and if they don't like it then that is their problem IMO.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Maybe in a few years, but certainly not next week!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

He's peed off the people who supplied the information that let this forum know what was going on behind the scenes and it will be all the poorer for it.

Debate is fine, but making rude and antagonistic posts (as he was a few days ago) about the the work of the people who take the time and trouble to collate and analyse this information isn't debating, it's simply stirring up trouble for the sake of it.

Over the years various people have either left the forum or stopped posting information because of similar behaviour, which spoils it for everyone else.

Upon checking as to why BBC1 HD has not been converted to 256-QAM. TSID 104 is still 64-QAM because it also carries VM services, such as The PVR EPG, VOD logos etc:

http://www.digitalbitrate.com/dtv.ph...ng=en&mux=C069

For some reason VM didn't convert any TSID that carries VM services.

There is now only one spare slot for an HD channel left at this point in time; on TSID 30 and this is where I assume GOLD HD will be going when it's added.

VM has TSID 23 to 35 currently configured for HD, with a current maximum of six HD channels per transport stream. Unless something changes, GOLD HD is the last HD channel that can be fitted onto the VM system.

Maybe they want to do some additional work on the system before maxing it out and adding GOLD HD and this is why it's taking a bit longer than the other channels??

If anyone wants to verify this information it is freely available on the digitalbitrate site linked to above.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

There’s clearly room on TSID 101 for more channels - it only has 5 SD channels on it. You are ignoring that HD and SD channels could sit alongside each other (ITV PPV HD for example). This stream is also used for Sky Box Office HD events.

I’m not being antagonistic, I’m just pointing out that much of the analysis thus far is unhelpful. You keep stating opinions as absolute facts.

There’s room for one HD channel on a single frequency you identified.

Not considered:
Unused frequencies
Moving remaining 64 QAM multiplexes to 256 QAM
More efficient use of the space that is in use
Lowering the bitrate of some channels.

If people cease posting because they do not like people challenging the accuracy of information provided then maybe the internet isn’t for them. Nobody has a right to publish information and have it go unchallenged.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

People are entitled to their opinions, but often confuse them with facts.

Opinions not based on verifiable facts should be challenged.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I am talking about current configuration as it stands today. As has already been pointed out, VM could do several things to increase capacity e.g. change the remaining 64-QAM multiplexes to 256-QAM. VM didn't change certain ones over, I don't know why, maybe there's some technical reason?? If SP sees this maybe he could explain why these haven't yet been changed over.

They could indeed go the same way as Freeview & Sky and lower the bit rate of existing channels if they wanted to but, as I said earlier, this will have an impact on picture quality.

TSID 101 has a different number of channels in each region, some having more regional variations than others. Northern Ireland also carries RTE and TG4. Again, if SP sees this, maybe he may be able to explain why VM has different transport streams for regional and national channels.

They could certainly use unused frequencies, but VM already had such frequencies available and is actually taking these frequencies and reallocating them to DOCSIS. If there was a pool of unused frequencies, i'm sure VM would be using those for the extra DOCSIS frequencies instead of using these.

What other more efficient use of frequencies do you think that VM could deploy?

As it stands, this is the only remaining space left for an HD channel using the current configuration of a maximum of six on each stream (TSID 23 does have seven, however, but this is due to a BBC timeshare):

http://www.digitalbitrate.com/dtv.ph...ng=en&mux=C042

It's not a case of people ceasing to post, it's a case of future information now no longer being made available for the forum. This information was never intended for forum use and because of the way that you have conducted yourself, others will lose out on advance information e.g. new channels being added to the service.

---------- Post added at 18:15 ---------- Previous post was at 18:04 ----------

The facts that I have posted are verifiable on digitalbitrate and represent the system as it is at this moment in time. The only things which form opinion or speculation is what VM will do to overcome their capacity constraints. There are several things they could do, but only VM staff know what these will be.

There are both polite and rude/antagonistic ways to challenge and, unfortunately for the forum, jfman chose the latter a few days ago to everybody's detriment.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

There’s two versions of ITV HD in MPEG 2 in that table for a start.

Two multiplexes with two HD channels and background data. By your own admission the capacity limit is six per multiplex in MPEG4, giving theoretically eight additional HD channels on top of your one.

“Based on the current configuration“ is nothing but a red herring on your part. It’s entirely unsurprising that the Virgin network is set up to deliver exactly the services it needs to.

---------- Post added at 18:38 ---------- Previous post was at 18:29 ----------

On a point of order literally nobody has posted to agree my contributions are to the detriment of everyone.

Indeed, contributions have indicated the opposite. It is you seeking to end debate and reduce the information available to forum users.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I have found your posts informative and helpful. Your posts have imo NOT been antagonistic or anything like , you have simply asked as many before have for proof of stated facts.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Its all a bit over my head, I am a layman in how VM run the network and how they work out capacity.

As long as they make it when they need it then thats fine.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I agree. Richard does attempt on many occasions to try and shut down debate, often citing the present rather than the future, or his disabilities (whatever they are), even though they are not remotely what it is we are talking about. There is a lot of mumbo jumbo being put out there about QAMs and TSIDs that mean absolutely nothing to the majority on here, and who knows how the hell relevant all of this is. Spiderplant has scoffed at the insinuation that VM has capacity issues, and I know who am more comfortable to believe.

But it is also true that some people like to draw attention to the present without considering what may happen to change this. There will always be people who cannot see a vision of the future because they are stuck in the past, but I guess that this is good news for those who have vision and want to get on in this world and it separates the wealth creaters from the takers in this world.

People really do need to be more open to challenge and the probability (not possibility) that things will change in the future.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

The quick explanation is that 256 QAM offers an extra 30% capacity over 64 QAM. Until recently Virgin only used 64.

Scaremongering on forums had no capacity for HD channels at all at one point in 2007. Closing analogue back in the day, moving to 256 QAM, MPEG 4 for HD all represent a constant evolution of the cable network. To the average user they will have been unaware for the most part.

There are under utilised frequencies in use, there are frequencies out of use that would be activated if required.

Beyond that in the far future there’s plenty of quick wins: reducing legacy boxes moves the on demand content into the “internet” bandwidth from TV, duplicate SD and HD channels (BT Sport and Sky Movies being obvious candidates), plus one channels (necessary in the 6 tuner and on demand world?).

I can’t imagine there’s much value in the porn channels or music channels as viewer behaviour changes (online).

Add into the fact there’s very few “new channels” on the horizon anyway.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Yes, it's correct that some ITV HD channels are still in MPEG2 and weren't converted to MPEG4 as were the rest of the HD channels. I've already dealt with your point about ITV HD as in VM have different transport streams for different regional and national channels.

Only VM staff will know the reason for this, which is why I said that I hoped that SP saw this as he might be able to shed some light on why this is the case. VM do intend to make the remaining ITV HD channels MPEG4, but when and why they didn't do them at the same time as the rest of the HD channels is unknown.

"Based on current configuration" is entirely the point that you don't seem to be able to grasp. It's a fact that at this moment in time there is only room for one more HD channel on the current set up. Nobody is suggesting that VM can't or won't do anything to free up more capacity on their network and that this is it and that there won't be anymore HD channels added ever again!

What is open to speculation is what they will actually do to achieve their goal of freeing up more capacity to add any more HD channels. I personally think that, technical constraints aside, they will do a mixture of what has been suggested to utilise their resources to the maximum as it makes economic sense to do this before using capital expenditure to increase and update their existing infrastructure.

The current configuration policy is that no more than six HD channels should go on one mux, but it is entirely possible that they will accept a reduction in picture policy to squeeze more in. I suspect that if this became the only option that they would do this as Sky and Freeview have done, even OFCOM have noted that the public seem to prefer greater channel choice over picture quality.

Re: Your point of order. I didn't refer to any postings made, I referred to the fact that the way you expressed yourself the other day has led to the permission to post findings meant for another purpose being made available to the forum now being witheld and the time spent to analyse the data and present it in a user friendly way now no longer being spent.

Links to digitalbitrate have been provided to back up the claims made. As previously stated, it was noted that when this involves new channels coming or subscription packs changing, people were happy to take this on board as true. However, when the news wasn't what some wanted to hear, the validity of the information that they provided was (in a rude fashion) called into question by a minority. It is the behaviour of this minority that has led to the loss of an important source of information for this thread.

It was not my decision to limit the information available to forum users, it was the people that were kindly allowing their information to be used for the benefit of others simply to be helpful, but it's no wonder that they've now put a stop to this as have other contributors in the past.

It is to the detriment of anyone who visits this thread interested in what's coming soon to VM.

I am not "seeking to end debate", I simply can't seem to get it to sink in that the position at this moment in time is simply that- it's pointless discussing a fact in anything other than an objective way. A debate on how how VM will move forward to free up capacity appears to be the only way that this conversation can progress.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I find this post fairly unreasonable Richard, you could have had a better tone. You'd take umbrage if someone else had referred to one of your posts as "Nonsense". Think about this in future please.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

But it is the present facts that are being discussed, the only way that the future can be discussed is by way of speculation. Only the relevant VM staff know the future, but it has already been acknowledged that the fact that there is now only room for one more HD channel doesn't mean that this is it forevermore.

If there is anything that you don't understand, do some research like others have done.

It is pointless discussing if a verifiable fact is correct or not and at no point has it been suggested that the current configuration won't change, quite the opposite.

I believe that both sources of information are correct. Firstly because proof is available for your inspection that there is only room for one more HD channel (zero once GOLD HD is added) and that there are things that VM can and almost definitely will do to alleviate the situation to add more channels as has been explained.

My disability and the affects thereof are not up for discussion.

What you say in your penultimate paragraph actually means is anybody's guess...

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

You “can’t get it to sink in” because it’s simply false. You say on one hand the limit is six HD channels per frequency yet link to data indicating two frequencies have just two HD channels. You fail to explain why these two frequencies could be used in the same manner as the rest and hold six each. You don’t explain why unused frequencies could not be activated.

If someone enters this thread they could reasonably believe no, or limited, channels are likely to launch based on your false claims. It is entirely responsible that someone corrects you.

You admit you don’t know why ITV HD is in MPEG 2 or why those frequencies have less channels than others, yet we have to take the rest of your claims as gospel that for reasons unknown they are unavailable for use.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Absolutely, nobody is "scareongering" at all, just presenting things as they currently are. There are things that VM can and probably will do to alleviate the situation, some of which we have already discussed.

I have already covered your point about there not being a 'magic new frequency tree' as it were and the QAM change was done a long time ago.

I agree that that there isn't that many new channels to actually add, so don't see what all the fuss is about.

---------- Post added at 22:16 ---------- Previous post was at 22:04 ----------

True, it's just frustrating to have someone continually challenging undisputable evidence of the situation as it stands today. Nobody has ever suggested that the situation couldn't or wouldn't change as VM seek to maximise use of their assetts.

We have now also lost a valuable source of information because of some of his posts and the way he sometimes expressed himself, which is a shame for everybody else. Two wrongs don't make a right though, which I fully accept and acknowledge.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

There are unused frequencies and there are 64 QAM frequencies. Your own link proves those facts. Your own link proves two multiplexes carrying much less than the six HD channels you state is a maximum.

If we take your stance to the extreme Virgin would never add channels except on a one in one out basis ... the “current configuration” would never allow it. That’s why the current setup is useless in projecting the future. That applies today just as at any point in the history of cable tv.

Sky would still have 4 channels on the Astra 1 satellite if the “current configuration” was set in stone.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Some of the oldest Pace boxes have a restriction that their software has to be carried on 64-QAM. Those boxes will all be gone within a few weeks.

And a minor benefit of 64-QAM for software delivery is it is a bit more tolerant of network noise, so we may as well stick with it until the bandwidth is needed for something else.

All transport streams are carried on a national network. The regional headends select the ones they need, and ignore the others. So they pick up all the national ones, plus whichever regional ones they need to serve their local users.

---------- Post added at 22:54 ---------- Previous post was at 22:42 ----------

It's because they are acquired through some non-standard equipment, which is a consequence of the way ITV's distribution network works. It'll get sorted one day.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

- TSID 101 has a number of different frequencies in each region. I did say that I was hoping that SP would see the post as he might be able to explain better than I can.

- If you dispute the fact that it is currently the policy of VM to only have a max of six HD channels per mux, take a look at the TSIDS on digitalbitrate. Each TSID has six HD channels on them apart from one which has five. I'm assuming that this will be used to add GOLD HD. When it is, if the system isn't recalibrated, there will be no more room for any more HD channels.

Nobody has suggested that VM can't or won't recalibrate their system in order to be able to add more HD channels, in fact, it's almost inevitable that they will do. What they will do though is not known at this point in time. Because the information from the scanners will no longer be being posted, this forum probably won't get to know either.

I note that you once told me that you were able to scan the system, are you still able to do so?

- As to whether unused frequencies could indeed be activated or re-activated, who knows, but at this point in time this has not happened. The trend has actually been to take away frequencies from DVB-C and reallocate them for broadband. It's believed that this is in response to Ofcom complaining that some users were getting poor broadband speeds at peak times.

If there were unused frequencies available, i'm sure that they would have used them instead of taking capacity from the cable TV service, which itself is fast running out of capacity under the current configuration. What makes me think that VM have something in the pipeline with regards to TV capacity is that they have reallocated resources to broadband, whilst knowing that cable TV capacity is also under pressure. Presumably they have a future plan in place that will see the current service need less resources to the extent that there will again be spare capacity to add further channels, despite broadband taking away some of its space.

- I have made it clear (as have you) that there are various things that VM can do to get more out of their existing TV capacity. I have never, ever said that there will not be any further channels added, merely that, at this point in time capacity is almost full under the current configuration . This is something that you don't seem to be able to accept or understand. If the capacity is nearly full, it's nearly full. What VM will do to deal with this problem is another matter entirely.

- I said that I have no idea why some of the ITV regions are still in MPEG2, because I don't, but it is a fact that they are and changing them over to MPEG4 would help the situation. Only VM know why they weren't (or if there is some technical reason that they can't be made so yet), but, at this moment in time this is the situation. This is why I said that I hoped that SP would see the post.

- Verifiable proof has been provided with regards to the capacity issue, so it's not a case of people being expected to believe this based on trust. Me not knowing the reason why all the ITV regions were not changed over to MPEG4 is irrelevant to this.

---------- Post added at 23:14 ---------- Previous post was at 23:10 ----------

But at no point have I suggested that the current set up does project the future....

All I have done is provide information with regards to the configuration set up at this point in time and that is that the system is nearing full capacity.

What VM can or will do to deal with this issue is another matter entirely.

---------- Post added at 23:15 ---------- Previous post was at 23:14 ----------

Many thanks for explaining SP, I had wondered why these apparent anomalies existed.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I'm glad that I don't live in your reality, Richard. I just want to reassure you, that however great the difficulties that we are confronted with, VM will work it out over time.

You can 'second guess' all you want, but those in the know (in the true sense) will figure it out. :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

What are you talking about? What has been presented as fact is reality and what's wrong with examining the options that VM have to resolve the situation :confused:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

How many times do you have to be told??.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

No, how many times do you have to be told.

I suggest that you leave it alone now. I have provided links for people to verify what I have posted if they wish to do so, so people can make their own mind up about the situation.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Your links by your own admission show the opposite. Two multiplexes with two HD channels - not six.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

When channels are provided by third party operators, it seems to be the case that it is for a fixed number of channels e.g. when a new channel is launched, another (usually a +1) is removed. It must follow, therefore, that if Sky Sports News is withdrawn:

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/show...php?t=33706702

that Sky will have to serve up a replacement channel to make the numbers back up.

In theory they could serve up Sky Atlantic, but in the real world I think we're more likely to get Pick +1 :D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I think the chances of Sky Sports News being completely closed any time soon - just after the start of a new football season - are somewhere below 0.01%.

Heck, even that article doesn't say it could 'be withdrawn', just that they're considering 'moving away from 24-7 broadcasting' - which could just mean being on air from 9am to 11pm (for example) rather than 24hrs a day. And that's they don't just do the other options mentioned (sponsored content / advertising in the ticker), or even just decide there's no problems anyway.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

I've answered your point in the relevant thread :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Hello I just have had a extensive chat with UKTV and here are the facts

1. All the on demand and catch up material is being uploaded to virgin servers and Willa take till no later than Wednesday to go live

2. UKTV gold HD will also launch by Wednesday also on channel 124 and he will get back to me if there is any SD channel

3. The content will match sky show for show with no sky exclusives, so what sky has we have.

4. Gold +1 shrinkage is due to customer complaints from over stretching and will be shown in the size filmed at the time

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

All seems good news. I'm intrigued about how much on demand comes up and whether it'll match the uktv ondemand service?

As for the shrinkage.... does that mean black bars on either side of shows? Thats a tad annoying

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

If it means black bars on 4:3 programmes then that is good as it is how it is meant to be.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

If this updated page is correct, some of UKTV's other channels will be dropping down to the Mix pack:

Eden
Eden +1
Good Food
Good Food +1

W HD, Alibi HD, Eden HD and Good Food HD remain Full House only.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Most modern TV sets have the option to have side bars, stretch or zoom on 4:3 aspect programmes. Look in your picture options menu.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

You shouldn't need to adjust the settings to get the correct picture.

It should be automatic.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

The default will be side bars but some people may prefer the other options. Just saying.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Sadly this was due to customer complaints across providers and UKTV was then left with It. It is confirmed that anything of UKTV on sky will be on virgin medi

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Yes - I just don't understand why people will pay a lot of money for their tv to get a good picture - only to choose to distort the picture.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Totally agree.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Didn't TiVo originally default to stretching the picture ? Irritated the hell out of me. Blessed was the day when I found the right setting. 4:3 always was best for TV ;)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2018)
 

Still does, I'm afraid. Some annoyances just never get fixed.